Explore Transylvania, Prague, Poland & Beyond Tour

DAY 1 – Bucharest Arrival

Upon arrival at Bucharest Airport, you will be met by a representative and be transferred to the hotel. On the way to your accommodation, you will enjoy a city tour around the main sights such as the Arch of Triumph, Victoria Square, Victoria Avenue. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Accommodation in Bucharest.

DAY 2 – Full day of Bucharest

Early in the morning you will visit the open air Village Museum, which will provide you with a unique experience and will give you a glimpse in the life of the Romanian peasants from more than 100 years ago. This museum is particularly impressive because all the houses were taken from their original locations and rebuilt here in Bucharest almost once century ago. Next on the agenda is a visit to Ceausescu’s mad dream – The Parliament Palace. Discover the second largest building in the world – formerly known as the People’s Palace. Take a tour inside together with a professional English speaking guide from the Parliament in order to get a full taste of Ceausescu’s heritage.

The day ends with a traditional dinner in the old town at Manuc’s Inn (included), followed by a walking tour to a completely pedestrian area, with the remains of the princely fortress of Vlad the Impaler, the 16th century palatine church in Byzantine style, and the Stavropoleos church, an architectural jewel of the 18th century, in typical Wallachian style, with important oriental influences in external decoration. Accommodation in Bucharest.
DAY 3 – Bucharest – Sinaia, Meet the royalty – Brasov

After breakfast, drive to Sinaia where you will discover the Peles castle, used as a summer residence by the kings of Romania. It was built at the wish of the first Romanian king, Carol I, after the plans of architects Johannes Schultz and Karel Liman and decorated by JD Heymann from Hamburg, August Bembe from Mainz and Berhard Ludwig from Vienna, hence the similarity to German castles. Peles Castle is a unique construction, one of the most important monuments of its kind in 19th century Europe.

Fringed by the peaks of the Southern Carpathian Mountains, Brasov is one of the most visited places in Romania. Founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1211 on an ancient Dacian site and settled by the Saxons as one of the seven citadels, it has been used as a backdrop in many recent period films. The city is surrounded by legends of vampires and medieval stories. We will have a walking tour so you can discover the old town center, the Black Church, the Council Square and the Hirsche House. Afternoon at leisure in Brasov and overnight in one of the hotels from the Old Town Square.

DAY 4 – Brasov – Dracula’s Castle – Sibiu

Get ready today to discover one of the most famous legend in Romania, Bran Castle, commonly known as Dracula`s Castle and source of inspiration for Bram Stocker. First built in 1377 for safeguarding the trading route between Transylvania and the Ottoman Empire. It was restored later to finally become a gorgeous summer royal residence in 1920. For many years now, it has been an interesting medieval art museum.

In our way to Sibiu, we will have a short detour to visit Biertan, a fortified church built in the 15th century by the Saxons. It is part of the Unesco Heritage since 1993 and it boasts beside religious objects also a matrimonial prison. Sibiu is a city in Transylvania, central Romania. It’s known for Germanic architecture in its old town, the legacy of 12th-century Saxon settlers. It was awarded in 2007 with the title of European Capital of Culture.

Upon arrival, enjoy a short guided walk of Sibiu’s Old Town. The main attractions are the Evangelical Church, the Orthodox Cathedral, the Roman Catholic Church, the Stairs tower.

Around the city are the remains of medieval walls and towers, including the 13th-century Council Tower. In the upper town, Brukenthal Palace now houses the Brukenthal National Museum, with European paintings. The nearby Evangelical Cathedral has gravestones in its walls. Afterwards return to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Accommodation in Sibiu

DAY 5 – Sibiu – Sighisoara – Gypsy traditions

Today we discover Sighisoara, one of the best preserved medieval citadel in Europe remains one of the most beautiful medieval city in Europe. It is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.  It is as well the birthplace of Vlad Dracula, also known as Vlad Tepes, ruler of the province of Walachia from 1456 to 1462. He is the one who inspired the Bram Stoker`s fictional creation, Count Dracula.

Enjoy a guided walk in the beautiful Old Town area (UNESCO World Heritage Site), and visit the Clock Tower Museum and the Arms Museum.

In the evening, you will have an exclusive visit to a gypsy family ready to tell you everything about their traditions and habits (dinner included). Accommodation in Sighisoara

DAY 6 – Sighisoara – Red lake – Gura Humorului

Depart from Sighisoara and make a short stop for lunch at Red Lake (optional), a resort specialized in naturally grown trout. We continue the day with a visit to the Folk Customs Museum of Bucovina, the perfect place to find the local culture. The rest of the day at leisure. Accommodation in Gura Humorului

DAY 7 – Gura Humorului – The painted monasteries of Bucovina

The most picturesque treasures of Romania are the Painted Monasteries of Bucovina. Their exterior walls are decorated with elaborate 15th and 16thcentury containing portraits of saints and prophets, scenes from the life of Jesus, images of angels and demons, and heaven and hell. First stop is at Voronet Monastery, constructed by Stephen the Great in 1488 over a period of 3 months and 3 weeks to commemorate the victory at Battle of Vaslui. Often known as the “Sistine Chapel of the East”, the frescoes at Voroneț feature an intense shade of blue known in Romania as “Voroneț blue”. Next is the Monastery of Moldovița built between 1532 and 1537 by Petru Rareș, who was Stephen III of Moldavia’s illegitimate son. It was founded as a protective barrier against the Muslim Ottoman conquerors from the East. The frescoes were painted by Toma of Suceava in 1537. They are filled with yellow accents and are well preserved. The predominantly yellow-and-blue paintings on its exterior represent recurring themes in Christian Orthodox art. Sucevita Monastery (UNESCO Heritage), built between 1582 and 1584. The architecture of the church contains both Byzantine and Gothic elements, and some elements typical to other painted churches of northern Moldavia. Both interior and exterior walls are covered by mural paintings, which are of great artistic value and depict biblical episodes from the Old and New Testament. The paintings date from around 1601, which makes Sucevița one of the last monasteries to be decorated in the famous Moldavian style of exterior paintings. The last monastery for today is the Monastery of Humor, the only one without a belfry tower, but featuring a unique “Legend of the Prodigal Son” fresco. Return to the hotel. Accommodation in Gura Humorului.

DAY 8 – Gura Humorului – Oradea

We arrive in the Oradea in the late afternoon, where we will enjoy a walking tour to see the Bishop’s Palace, the Roman Catolic Cathedral, the Black Eagle Palace or the State Theater, a neoclassical structure that dominates the King Ferdinand Square (Piata Regele Fedinand), was designed in 1900 by Austrian architects Fellner and Hellmer, who also designed the Vienna Opera House. Rest of the day at leisure. Accommodation in Oradea.

DAY 9 – Oradea – Budapest City tour

After our orrival in the stunning capital city of Budapest, the city tour will take you on the tree lined Andrassy Avenue to the magnificent Heroes’ Square. The area around it is worth a stroll. Continue to the hustling and bustling Central Market (an Eiffel Company project), a show in itself and a great place for buying quality Hungarian souvenirs.

After visiting some of the main interest, like the Parliament, the Fine Arts Museum, the Hungarian National Museum.

The remainder of the day is at leisure. You may try a cake and coffee at Gerbeaud coffee shop or try one of the goulash specialties on Vaci Street. Dinner on your own.

OPTIONAL: late in the evening you can enjoy a relaxing experience at the thermal baths in Budapest. Budapest has been called the “city of thermal baths”. There are over 118 thermal springs, with a water temperature between 21 and 78 degrees Celsius. The most popular public baths are Szechenyi Thermal Baths, Gellert Thermal Baths, Rudas Baths or Dandar.

Accommodation in Budapest.

DAY 10 – Budapest – Royal Palace of Gödöllö – Aquincum Roman Ruins – Szentendre – Visegrad Citadel – Budapest

After breakfast, cross the Danube into Buda and admire the former Royal Palace of Gödöllö.

The Royal Palace of Gödöllö it is considered the Hungarian equivalent of the Palace of Versailles. This palace, which is the second largest Baroque castle in the world, was built at the beginning of the 18th century, and in 1867 it was bought by the crown during the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It became the favorite summer residence of the royal family, especially of Queen Elizabeth who loved spending her time here. The palace has a double U shape and it is surrounded by a huge park.

Continue your day with a visit to Aquincum Roman Ruins located in the northern part of the city. Continue to Szentendre – the most picturesque small town along the Hungarian stretch of the Danube and home to sculptors and painters. The town is a charming monument to the 18th century with its cobbled streets and unexpected alleyways and has a unique atmosphere. Stroll around, visit various workshops.  Afterwards drive north along the Danube to Central Europe’s largest medieval castle keep which is Visegrad. With its two parts, such as the 13th century citadel perched on the hill and the 14th century royal palace at the bottom, Visegrad lived its golden age during the Renaissance King, Matthias who extended the entire structure. Visegrad is also the place where the famous Vlad the Impaler – Dracula was held prisoner by the same King Matthias in the second half of the 15th century. Return to Budapest in the afternoon. Accommodation in Budapest.

DAY 11 – Budapesta – Bratislava

The excursion continues to Bratislava, where we arrive around lunch. In Bratislava we will visit the Bratislava Castle outside, located in the middle of the city, on a hill 85 m above the Danube level, a massive building, with towers in the 4 corners, the Cathedral of Saint Martin or the Church of the Coronation, built between the 13th and 16th centuries and which served as the crowning church of the Kingdom of Hungary between 1563 and 1830, the historical center, with numerous baroque palaces, Mihail Gate – the only one that was preserved from the medieval fortifications, the Theater, the City Hall, the Danube cliff and Novi Most-New Bridge, with a UFO shaped restaurant in the tower.nTransfer to hotel. Free time available. Accommodation in Bratislava.

DAY 12  Bratislava – Jasna Mountains

Breakfast. We left Krakow and headed for Zakopane. Located in the southern part of Poland, near the border with Slovakia, at the base of the Tatra Mountains, Zakopane is one of the most popular ski resorts in Poland.  The city is noted for its numerous wooden houses, reminiscent of “gorali” – the mountain dwellers of old, who are said to be descendants of the Vlachs. Once you get here, we recommend you not miss a climb with the cable car on Mount Gubalowka where you can admire the entire mountain range and the city of Zakopane that stretches between you and the fish. For the experience to be complete, we suggest you climb the funicular and descend on foot, enjoying the fantastic scenery and the fresh air … it will not take long, we assure you! Another interesting objective to better understand the local culture is Krupówki – the main street of Zakopane – where you will meet at every step stalls full of “oscypek” (a type of smoked cheese made from sheep’s milk, very tasty and very tasty), souvenir shops and numerous local restaurants. We then cross the Tatra mountains to Slovakia and arrive in the evening at the resort Jasna. Accommodation in Jasna.
DAY 13  Jasna – Brno, Capital of Moravia
Breakfast. We visit the second largest city of the Czech Republic, Brno-capital of Moravia, important university center, with over 26 faculties and 11 universities. Panoramic city tour: Freedom Square with narrow streets between numerous religious houses, Old and New City Hall, Sf. Cathedral. Peter and Paul, with a magnificent view of the city of Brno, the Royal Castle Spilberk. The tour then continues to Prague. In the evening, optional, traditional dinner with live folklore show and unlimited drinks at the U Marchanu restaurant – the most famous in Prague for the quality of the show. Accommodation in Prague.

DAY 14  Prague – Karlstein Castle

Breakfast. Today we will take a tour of the “Golden City”, or the incursion through the history of Prague. We will start in Hradcany with Prague Castle – once the residence of the kings of Bohemia, and today the official residence of the President of the Czech Republic, considered the largest medieval castle in the world and St. Vitus Cathedral – the most important religious house in the Czech Republic.  We will descend in Mala Strana (the Small City) and on the Carol bridge, one of the oldest and well-known bridges in Europe, we will then arrive in the labyrinth of streets in Stare Mesto (Old City) to end the tour in the Old Town Square at the famous Clock Astronomical. There is a transfer by bus from the hotel to Hradcany. After the city tour, optional trip to Karlstejn Castle, surely the most popular destination in the Czech Republic, after Prague, located 30 km from the city in a very picturesque natural setting. Carol IV-IV built this medieval castle between 1348-1357 to preserve the jewels of the crown of the Holy Roman-German Empire. In the evening, optional cruise with dinner on the river Vltava. Accommodation in Prague.
DAY 15  Prague-Wroclaw

Breakfast. We leave Prague to Poland and stop in Silesia at Wroclaw – a city full of charm, color and picturesque, with a hard name! Located on the river Odra and its canals, Wroclaw is called “the city of 100 bridges” (in fact, there are about 125) and is built on dozens of islands. We will take a city tour with a local guide in which we will see among others: the Cathedral Island with the impressive Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the Historical Center with the splendid Rynek-Old Town Square with the City Hall and the buildings with their 17th and 18th century architecture completely restored after World War II, the Centenary Hall – a monument included in its UNESCO heritage During the tour we will discover another attraction of the city, the sculptures of dwarves made in a variety of delightful and surprising ideas. Transfer to hotel. Free time available. Accommodation in Wroclaw.

DAY 16  Wroclaw – Poznan – Toruń, the Gothic Glory on the Vistula and Gdańsk

With a relaxed start to the day, drive out to Ostrów Tumski, known as Cathedral Island. It’s considered as the birthplace of Poland in the 10th century and is a fascinating place of legend, often overlooked by other visitors. Journey to the region of Wielkopolska to meet a local resident of Poznań who knows every nook and cranny of the Old Town. Learn the secrets behind the St. Martin’s croissant, a local delicacy of Poznan with a special history, and enjoy a tasting.

Stop at Gniezno to visit the cathedral and see the famous winged bronze doors. Then continue to Toruń, founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1233 and birthplace of astronomer, Nicolaus Copernicus. Discover this outstanding example of medieval architecture, now a living museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend time exploring at your own pace.

Why not shop for traditional gingerbread? Follow the Vistula River north to the Baltic Sea and Gdańsk a beautiful seaside town, with a lovingly restored Old Town. As evening descends, a dinner of Baltic specialities is highly recommended (not included), followed by a walk through Gdańsk’s illuminated historic district. Accommodation in Gdańsk.

 DAY 17  The Baltic Belles of Gdańsk – Auschwitz

Busy day today. Right after breakfast we go to see the Westerplatte, scene of the first fighting between Polish and German troops in 1939, and the Gdańsk Shipyards where Lech Wałęsa formed the anti-Soviet Solidarność in 1980.

We continue our road towards Auschwitz, a place that represents extremely important history. In 1979, Birkenau State Museum has been added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.

We will visit Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II Birkenau – 2 main Nazi concentration camp sites. The whole complex covers an area of nearly 200 ha and most of the tour of Auschwitz is outdoor. The first important object you’ll see is the infamous inscription on the entrance gate to concentration camp, which says “Arbeit macht frei” (Work makes you free). This ironic slogan, created by Nazis, begins Auschwitz Birkenau memorial tour. You’ll see    prisoners’ barracks, places of work, original blocks, where they were being punished. You’ll see railroad tracks that transported people often straight to gas chambers, that were used for extermination. At the end of the war, Germans tried to destroy them by blasting. The only remnants of those are now rows of chimneys covering a large surface of the concentration camp. Accommodation Krakow.

 DAY 18  Krakow – “the heart of Poland”

After breakfast, we will be introduced to Krakow, considered by many to be “the heart of Poland”. The former residence of the Polish kings, the city is one of the few places where the priceless works of art, gathered for centuries, were not destroyed during the two world wars. Krakow city tour with local guide including, among others, Wawel Hill with Wawel Castle, pride and symbol of Polish resistance, royal residence since the 11th century, rebuilt at the beginning of the 16th century in the style of the Renaissance and the Royal Cathedral.

We descend the Royal Road to the historical center of Krakow (included in the list of UNESCO cultural heritage in 1978), where we will see Collegium Maius of Jagiellona and Rynek University with the Town Hall Tower, Sukiennice (post hall) with souvenir shops and Maria St. Basil’s with the beautiful stained glass windows and the altar of Veit Stoss. We conclude with the St. Florian gate and the Barbakan (Barbican) tower, from the medieval fortifications of the city. Transfer to hotel. Free time available. Accommodation in Krakow.
DAY 19  Krakow – Wieliczka Salt Mine

In the first part of the day, we suggest, as an option, the Wieliczka Salt Mine Excursion (included in UNESCO’s heritage). The history of the Wieliczka Salt Mine dates back to the Middle Ages, when it was proudly named Magnum Sal-Great Salt. In the 13th century it was known as the largest salt source in Poland, and in time became crucial for the country’s economy. In the depths of the mine, you can admire the unusual salt landscapes, the impressive size of the works, salt rocks of different types, salt lakes and works of art created by sculptor miners. There are over 2,000 rooms in the Mine, but you won’t find two identical ones! Return to Krakow and free time available for shopping and individual visits. Accommodation in Krakow.
DAY 20  Krakow – Malbork Castle

After breakfast we hit the road towards the Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork, founded in 1274 by the Teutonic Knights on the banks of the Nogat River. The castle is a stunning example of a medieval fortress and the largest brick Gothic castle in the world. Free time available for shopping and individual visits. Accommodation in Malbork.

DAY 21  Malbork – Warsaw

Next, travel south across the beautiful Masuria Lake District, passing Iława on the way to the capital of Warsaw. During the city tour, we will see the Palace of Culture, the Chopin Monument in Łazienki Park, the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes, followed by a walk through Warsaw’s Old Town, entirely rebuilt since World War II. After, Wilanów Palace, once the home to Poland’s most famous King Jan Sobieski III. At dinner enjoy a fine selection of local dishes with wine at a cosy Warsaw restaurant.(not included). Accommodation in Warsaw.

DAY 22  Departure day – our journey ends with your transfer to the Warsaw Airport.